Published on: Wednesday 15 Nov 2023 at 11:10
Support St Clare’s latest fundraising campaign to ensure the hospice is Always There for families across West Essex and the East Hertfordshire borders
St Clare Hospice is aiming to raise £70,000 in seven days – the cost of over a week’s care – to ensure it can be Always There for those receiving the devastating news that they have a condition that cannot be cured.
The ambitious fundraising campaign comes at a time when the Hastingwood-based charity faces increased demand for its expert, compassionate care and support, as well as rising costs to deliver its range of specialist services.
Between 22nd and 28th November, St Clare is calling on its communities across West Essex and the border of East Herts to dig deep and give what they can to help it reach £70,000 in a single week – the equivalent of funding just over a week’s worth of care, whether that is in the Hospice’s Inpatient Unit, in people’s own homes, in care homes, providing emotional and practical support to grieving relatives, or simply answering a call to the St Clare 24-hour Advice Line from someone in distress.
Click here to donate to Always There
Rosie Knowles, St Clare’s Director of Income Generation, said: “In the past year alone, we have had over 1,000 people call our First Contact Service asking for help from St Clare – and that number is only set to increase.
“We know that the life-changing care St Clare Hospice provides is of huge value to the people who we are able to support, because that’s what they tell us. It is what every person being told that they have a long-term, progressive or incurable illness, or who is facing the end of their life, deserves. It is the kind of skilled and compassionate care that we would wish for our loved ones, and ourselves.
“We want to ensure our specialist doctors, nurses, healthcare assistants, therapists and counsellors can continue to be Always There when it feels like your world is falling apart. But, while our care and support is free to everyone who needs it, it comes with a cost to deliver.
“Unfortunately, the ongoing cost-of-living crisis has put our charity under increasing financial pressure, meaning we are reliant now more than ever before on the generosity of our supporters to help us raise the thousands of pounds that we need every single day to keep our services running.
Click here to ensure St Clare is Always There
“Raising £70,000 in just seven days is a big ask. But, it can be done with the support of our community and those who share our passion for exceptional palliative and end-of-life care. Which is why, between 22nd and 28th November, we are calling on everyone to help their hospice by getting behind our Always There campaign, and spare whatever you can.
“Anything you can give – big or small – will contribute towards guaranteeing the future of our services, helping us to reach even more people who we know could greatly benefit from what St Clare can offer at such a difficult time in their lives.”
Your donations will help support people like Michelle, who at the age of 35 is living with a terminal brain tumour.
Michelle’s mum Debbie speaks about the difference the St Clare’s Hospice at Home team made to their family in our Always There video below.
You can also read Michelle’s story by clicking here.
Click here to ensure St Clare is Always There for families like Michelle’s
Make a donation
Giving just £30 could give another person like Michelle their wish of being cared for in their own home by one of St Clare’s Hospice at Home nursing assistants.
To donate to the campaign, you can make an online donation below or alternatively, call the St Clare fundraising team on 01279 773750 to make a telephone donation.
Frequently Asked Questions
Have a question about the Always There campaign? Take a look at our FAQs below to see if we’ve got the answer you need!
When is the Always There campaign? The Always There campaign is running from Wednesday 22nd November until Tuesday 28th November 2023.
Why should I donate? By giving just £30, you could give another person (like Michelle) their wish of being cared for in their own home by one of St Clare’s Hospice at Home nursing assistants.
How can I donate? St Clare are accepting donations for the Always There campaign in a number of formats.
- Donate online – Click here to make an online donation to the Always There campaign.
- Telephone donations – Make a donation to the Always There campaign over the phone by calling our Fundraising team on 01279 773750.
- Cheque donations – Cheques made payable to ‘St Clare Hospice West Essex Trust’ can be posted to: Fundraising, St Clare Hospice, Hastingwood Road, Hastingwood, CM17 9JX
- Donate in person – Nearby and want to drop off your donation in person? Visit the Hospice and tell a member of staff you are donating to the Always There campaign. We’ll be more than happy to help you!
Can I read more of Michelle and Debbie’s story? Yes, to read Michelle and Debbie’s full story click here.
Want to speak to a member of the St Clare team about Always There? Get in touch with our friendly Fundraising team by calling 01279 773750 or email fund@stclarehospice.org.uk